We’re a 501c-3 non-profit dog rescue based out of West Hollywood. We are dedicated to rescuing dogs from many different SoCal shelters before they are set to be euthanized and placing them with a foster home until we can find them a forever home. We do not have a facility where we board our pups, which is why volunteers are such a vital part of our mission to rescue these death row dogs. We do require that our volunteers be at least 18 years of age.
We are always in need of new volunteers and we pretty much survive because of the help we get from them, so we really appreciate your interest. There are lots of different ways our volunteers help out, which are summarized below.
Adoption Events
All of our adoption events are held at the West Hollywood Petco (508 N. Doheny Dr. 90069) from 1-6pm. We always need help with transporting dogs to and from the event, setting up, giving treats and water to the pups, donations, walking dogs, break down, etc.
Adoption Event Schedule is as follows*
July 27
August 10, 24
September 7, 21
October 5, 19
November 2, 16, 30
December 14, 28
Petco
508 N Doheny Dr,
West Hollywood, CA 90048
(RAIN OR SHINE)
Time: 1:00pm to 6:00pm for Volunteers
(event runs from 2:00 to 5:00pm for the public)
*Please note that these dates and locations may change.
Dog Walking
While we try very hard to avoid using boarding facilities for our dogs (as we love for them to be in a home environment), there are times when we need to place one or two dogs in boarding while we search for and interview a new foster. To give our dog some time outside of the kennel, we contact you to take he/she out on a walk, hike, or picnic at the park!
Temperament Tests
We are interested in dozens of dogs throughout Southern California, located at several different shelters. We cannot place a dog in a foster home without knowing his/her temperament first, which is why we need volunteers to visit these shelters and “test” out the dog for us. It’s incredibly vital to saving dogs, especially when we can get volunteers to go to the further away shelters, as those are typically very high kill. The only requirements are that you understand dog behavior and own a cell phone that can take high quality videos.
Home Checks
When we receive an adoption application for one of our rescue dogs, we interview the applicant over the phone. If approved by our director, we schedule a meet and greet, and if both the dog and the applicant hit it off, we set up a home check for the applicant. Home checks help us determine if the potential forever home is a safe and loving environment for our foster dog. If interested, I can send you a form that walks you through the steps. Home checks are scheduled based on yours and the applicant’s availability.
Cat Tests
Do you have a cat? If you’ll allow our rescue dog to come over, on a leash and muzzled, to be introduced to your cat(s) let us know! Don’t worry; we only seek out cat tests for the dogs who we think will be good with cats (don’t react to stray cats, zero prey drive, etc). Knowing if a dog is good with cats or not helps us get the dog adopted more quickly!
Freedom Rides and Transports
We rescue dogs from shelters all over California. As a rescue, we can call a shelter and adopt a dog over the phone, but they do not transport. Volunteers are always needed to pick up the dog from the shelter. Some of these shelters are so bad, that if we do not pick up the dog the same day we tell them we are pulling, the dog will be euthanized. Yes, sometimes the shelters are far away, but this is the time when you actually get to save a life! Shelters in SoCal we rescue from are in the Los Angeles Area (ie San Pedro, Downey, Gardena, Simi Valley, San Gabriel Valley, Long Beach), San Diego, and the Inland Empire!
Also, since they can’t drive, our dogs need help getting to adoption events, vet appointments, meet and greets with potential adopters, and moving to new fosters.
Emergency Volunteers/Stand Bys
This may seem like the least helpful, but actually our stand-bys always save us & the dogs! We need you!
You give us the days and times you are available and we add you to a list. Then, if something comes up that day- you will be the first one we call. This helps us reach out to volunteers with availability that day instead of calling our entire volunteer list. If there is a day, half a day, or even a few hours you can volunteer to be placed on a “call in case of an emergency” list, let us know! This can be for many different tasks, and almost always requires some driving. We try very hard to plan things in advance, but if there is a last minute opportunity to save a life, get a dog adopted, or a foster emergency, it helps to have a handful of people we reach out to first!
We are in desperate need of standby volunteers!
We Desperately Need Fosters!
We still need long term fosters (30 days or more) and emergency fosters (for a couple nights). We provide all of the supplies that they need, you just need to provide love and support for these stressed out shelter dogs. If you are interested in either one please let us know ASAP!
If you’re able to join our life-saving team, please call 310-358-3344 or email dogsfromheaven@aol.com